International activities

International activities

The Directorate-General (DG) for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs helps the internationalisation of European businesses and their competitiveness in order to generate growth and jobs. The mission goes beyond the need to explore opportunities in foreign markets. It also lies in the neccesity to work for the good integration of EU companies in international value chains and to ensure a level-playing field where imports are concerned.

In the spotlight

Ensuring a level playing field for EU businesses

We work to ensure a fair and level playing field for European businesses so that they can exploit opportunities in non-EU markets.

Cooperation with governments

We coordinate and organise regulatory and industrial policy dialogues with many of the EU's strategic partners. This important activity aims to achieve a greater convergence of the rules affecting global business, reducing barriers and costs and making it easier for European companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to do business on an international scale. The dialogues cover issues such as standards, conformity assessment and innovation, and certain industry sectors, including space.

Cooperation with regions and international bodies

DG Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs promotes industrial cooperation, SMEs, entrepreneurship and inclusive sustainable development with Mediterranean and Eastern neighbour countries as part of the European Neighbourhood Policy. DG Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs also works with the Latin American region on initiatives that primarily target small businesses and with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) on issues including entrepreneurship, space policy and tourism.

Europe 2020

DG Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs also ensures that enterprise interests and expertise are taken into account in the implementation of the Europe 2020 strategy for growth.

Useful links

The European Business Organisation (EBO) Worldwide Network represents EU business associations and chambers of commerce in non-EU countries. It is the only network that represents EU-wide business interests outside the EU. It allows European business organisations to share information and best practices with the network’s members and stakeholders. It was established in 2001 with the support of the DG and currently extends to 26 countries.